Momentum (organisation)

Momentum (organisation)
Name	Momentum
Founded	2015
Founder	Jon Lansman
Headquarters	London
Political position	Left-wing
Country	United Kingdom

Momentum (organisation) is a UK-based political advocacy group formed in 2015 to support the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn within the Labour Party and to mobilise grassroots activism across British politics. It developed from networks built during the 2015 Labour leadership election and sought to combine community organising, digital campaigning, and member-driven strategies to influence elections and policy debates. Momentum has been active in constituency campaigning, internal Labour processes, and national political events.

History

Momentum emerged from campaign structures linked to Jeremy Corbyn's 2015 leadership campaign following his unexpected victory in the 2015 leadership contest, drawing on organisers involved with Islington South and Finsbury constituency activities and national activist networks. Founders and early figures included Jon Lansman, activists from Left Unity, and members associated with trade unions such as Unison and the Communication Workers Union. Momentum formalised its operations after the 2016 Brexit referendum, when internal battles over leadership and membership eligibility intensified within the Labour Party. The group mobilised during the 2017 general election and the 2019 general election, influencing campaign tactics used by constituencies like Islington North and Bassetlaw. Momentum’s trajectory intersected with events such as the 2016 Labour Party leadership election challenge and disciplinary processes involving figures like Ken Livingstone and Dawn Butler.

Organisation and Structure

Momentum adopted a federated model combining local groups, regional organisers, and national coordinating bodies, adopting principles similar to community organising models used by groups like MoveOn in the United States and campaign networks in France such as La France Insoumise. Its governance included a board, staff, and internal democracy via members' meetings and conference structures inspired by organisations like Trade Union Congress assemblies and Co-operative Party practices. The group established local "Momentum groups" in constituencies such as Bristol South, Liverpool Walton, and Cardiff Central, and developed liaison roles with unions including Unite the Union and GMB. Momentum also maintained digital infrastructure influenced by platforms used by Organise for America and Obama for America to manage volunteers, fundraising, and door-to-door canvassing operations.

Political Activities and Campaigns

Momentum coordinated campaigns on a range of electoral and policy issues, supporting Labour candidates in selections and general elections such as 2017 general election and 2019 general election contests, while campaigning on national issues like opposition to austerity measures and for public ownership policies advocated in manifestos influenced by John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn. It organised mass rallies that echoed events like the People's Assembly Against Austerity demonstrations and worked alongside movements such as Britain Stronger in Europe activists pre-referendum and anti-austerity coalitions post-referendum. Momentum ran training for canvassers drawn from constituencies including Leeds Central, coordinated mobilisations for byelections like Copeland and Batley and Spen, and participated in internal Labour selection processes comparable to selection fights in Islington North and Brighton Pavilion.

Membership and Funding

Momentum’s membership model combined online sign-ups and local group enrolments, with subscription tiers resembling structures used by organisations like Labour Party affiliates and trade unions. Funding sources included small online donations, merchandise sales, event ticketing, and grants from sympathetic organisations and supporters, drawing comparisons to fundraising models used by Change UK and Green Party of England and Wales. The group also received financial and organizational support from individual trade union branches within unions such as Unite the Union, Unison, and National Union of Teachers affiliates in some campaigns. Its accounts and declared donations were scrutinised during audits similar to those applied to Electoral Commission regulated entities.

Controversies and Criticisms

Momentum faced criticism and controversy over its role in internal Labour politics, including allegations of influencing deselection processes and selection contests reminiscent of earlier factional disputes in the Labour Party history involving groups like Militant tendency. Critics accused Momentum of centralised control and entryism, drawing parallels with factional disputes surrounding figures such as Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill, while supporters defended its grassroots organising ethos citing comparisons to Syriza activists in Greece and Podemos organisers in Spain. The organisation was also subject to disputes over the handling of allegations related to antisemitism controversies that involved interventions from unions and complaints to bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Media outlets including The Guardian (1901–present), The Telegraph, and The Financial Times covered internal disputes, and parliamentary figures like Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry engaged with the surrounding debates.

Influence and Impact on UK Politics

Momentum influenced the Labour left’s strategy, candidate selection, and mobilisation techniques, contributing to the energised supporter base seen during the 2017 general election campaign and shaping policy debate around public ownership and anti-austerity positions championed by John McDonnell and Rebecca Long-Bailey. Its organising methods affected other parties’ approaches to grassroots recruitment, comparable to tactics used by Conservative Party outreach programmes and digital initiatives by groups like Better Together. Momentum’s role in internal Labour democracy contributed to discussions on party reform in contexts involving the NEC and influenced how unions and constituency parties approached selections, echoing historic influences of organised groups such as Clause IV campaigners and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Category:Political organisations in the United Kingdom